10 x 12 on the CHEAP!!!

[Too Tall]

So funds are tight but I refuse to boil in the elements again this year. This is what I came up with.

Roundwood construction. Milling my own lumber (freehand) for window/door boxes and purlins. Free metal roof from neighbor (yet to be installed).

Still need to find a few free windows. I'm torn on the siding...I would like to do a board and batten but my chainsaw might blow up if I have to cut it all myself. Might break down and by some 1x8 rough sawn cedar off of craigslist.

Think it will last 5 years until I can build a proper sugarhouse?98659862986398649866

[Too Tall]

Cutting the roof purlins is proving to be quite a challenge. My little saw is in over his head.

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[maple flats]

Are you using a ripping chain? Even free hand and using a small saw, you will do much better with ripping chain. It will cut lots better and faster that the normal cross cut chain, that's what it is designed to do.
The sugarhouse will seem like a mansion after boiling in the elements. Nice work.

[Too Tall]

I'm not using a ripping chain. I'm really trying to keep my costs down. And by down, I mean $0. By my calculations, I need to cut 5 more purlins then I should be done with the chainsaw work.

The walls may have to be stacked wood this year. Anything is better than nothing...right?

[Loch Muller]

Looking good, anything free is worth saving up for! Your local lumber yard should have some extra bunks and pallets that might help finish off your walls and roof. Some places also save the tarps from lumber units and will give you some if you ask. The place I work for sells cull plywood sheets for $5 each, but that might be getting too carried away. Have fun.

[Too Tall]

So far $77 invested. A few 2x4's, felt paper and some screws & nails. And an extra long drill bit.

Roof is done. It's not pretty but it'll keep the weather off.98839884

[Wanabe1972]

Too tall your a man after my heart! I would build my house like that if the wife was not watching. Check your area someone is bound to have a portaband that would finish those purlins for you for cheap. Too bad you weren't near me I'd cut them out for some good sapping conversation.

[lpakiz]

Yeas ago, most buildings, especially barns, were built EXACTLY like that. And I disagree with your assessment of "ain't pretty". I think is looks great, and unique to boot.
Good work!

[maplestudent]

certainly looks functional to me, and that's what really matters.

me....I'll probably be boiling out in the open again.

[Birddog]

Nicely done!


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[Too Tall]

Almost done. I added some stacked-wood half-walls today. They should keep most of the snow out over the winter.

I still have to stack one more wall and move the evaporator over a few inches and cut a hole for the stack. Then I think I'm about as done as I'm going to be until the season starts.

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This sure has been a fun project. So far I have $77 invested and about 12 hours of time.

[NhShaun]

Looks like you will be protected from the elements enough. I like the way you used the logs for this project! are they just angle cut and nailed in the corners/braces?

[Too Tall]

Yep. The bracing is just cut roughly 45 degrees and screwed into the verticals. I had to pre-drill a hole for every screw or nail that I used because the wood was splitting on me. On some of them, I notched the verticals for a better fit. I don't think it's necessary though. The structure is very sturdy as is.

[NhShaun]

Oh great, i figured screwing it would be better than nails. And pre-drill for sure. Thanks for the info. I might end up doing something like this to cover my boiling set up, if i can find the time! I think pallets would be a cheap/free way to effectively fill in the walls to keep the snow and cold out a bit. Looking forward to seeing some pics when you start boiling!

Are the upright logs just sitting on the ground? not buried? It almost looks like one is on a block but thats the only one i could see.

Scratch that question^^^ took a second glance at the photos and figured it out.

[Too Tall]

Just an update for anyone thinking of building a shack like this. It works perfect. I burn the wood walls last. It keeps me dry and warm. Couldn't be happier with how it turned out. I highly recommend it if you are on a budget and your sugar bush is in an area where nobody will complain about the "look" of your sugar shack.1321613217